S. Illinois fends off Indiana St. rally for 82-77 win

Jan. 25, 2018

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) — Aaron Cook scored 25 points and Southern Illinois made 6 of 8 foul shots in the last 33 seconds and the Salukis held off Indiana State with an 82-77 win Wednesday night.

The Salukis went on a 16-4 run in the final 6:34 of the first half and led 41-29 at intermission. Kavion Pippen put Southern Illinois up 69-56 with 5:29 remaining before the Sycamores went on a 17-6 run and pulled within 75-73 with a minute left after Brandon Murphy threw down a dunk off his offensive rebound.

Armon Fletcher made a layup with 33 seconds left before Jordan Barnes added a pair of free throws for a 77-75 score before Southern Illinois (13-9, 5-4 Missouri Valley Conference) proceeded to end it from the line. Fletcher scored 17 points.